Mis-matched Suspension Lift?

bgdaddy599 · Jul 2, 2004

hey all,

brand new to the ford world, bought a 79 f-150. real good body, needs TLC.

anyways, it has a very serious rake from the front to the rear. it has a 3" body lift, and a considerable amount of suspension lift. the truck is riding on 17/40-15 tires, and has no clearance issues between the tires and body. the rear blocks appear to be 2" or 3" tall. could the rear springs be de-arching? or has someone put a smaller than supposed to be block in it.

problem being, it looks droopy(!) how can i tell how big the lift is in the front so that i can level it out?

any help would be much appreciated.

thanks to all

bd

Broncoholics · Jul 2, 2004

The first thing to do is have those 40" tires ballanced. My 38's toss weights all the time and make the Bronco shakes like a bitch. Otherwise check your ball joints by jacking it up and pull on the bottom tire and on top and have someone look. Large tires eat them up. Check steering joints and trac bar bushings for slop. Then, with tires on the ground have your buddy turn the steering wheel back and forth so you can look at the tie-rods and bushings moving around. If those don't fix it check the driveline U-joints as they fail all the time with large tires and big lifts.
As for your lift being lower in the rear, some aftermarket kits are designed like this such as FabTech (pre-runner suspensions). Some keep it lower in the rear to save the u-joints (less driveline angle). If you want to level it just get another block thats 1" taller under the leafs. I wouldn't recomment going any higher than 4" with a block.

Txquadhunter · Jul 2, 2004

I'd go with a add-a-leaf over the block. Rear blocks lead to axle wrap and blows U-joints quick.

By what you stated I'd say you have a 4" lift plus the 3" body lift. These older trucks tend to clear larger tires on smaller lifts. They can clear 38's fairly easy with just a 4" lift.

instead of re-arching the rear sprungs it's about as cheap to have a custom spring pack built. plus you'll know the new springs aren't weak to add to axle wrap. Try a search there is quite a few places that'll build custom springs cheap. I can't think of the name right off, but if i remember it i'll post the link to a site for it.

bgdaddy599 · Jul 6, 2004

thanks for the input-

second round of questioning-

to reduce the angle of the rear axle, does anyone make a wedge to "turn" the axle upwards and decrease the wear to the rear u-joints?

thanks again

bd

Txquadhunter · Jul 6, 2004

Yes they have shims to correct the pinion angle. Factory and most aftermarket blocks are cut at an angle to correct the pinion angles.

BLUEovalBELIEVER · Jul 23, 2004

with 40 inch tires you should upgrade your axles you think?if you don't i think in time you are gonna have more problems than your lift.

Broncoholics · Jul 23, 2004

Some traction bars would help axle wrap running 40's! Duff sells some nice long link type that connect on top and below the axle and doesn't reduce suspension articulation.

BLUEovalBELIEVER · Jul 25, 2004

what about ball joints,wheel bearings?how can you put a traction bar on leafs not lose articulation and not buy floaters for the springs?
40 inch tires are too big for half ton trucks,i really don't care to argue run them and you will see in time,and just in case you forget when you are broke down on the side of the road with a busted ball joint"i told you so"
spend the money and up grade.